Republicans say current teacher assistant positions were preserved, even as funding for assistants fell $85 million compared to last year.

Disclaimer: Comments posted on this, or any story are opinions of those people posting them, and not the views or opinions
of WWAY NewsChannel 3, its management or employees. You can view our comment policy here.

Thank you Governor and State Representatives for our raise and bonus leave. I am a state employee and have not seen any raise in years when the Dems were in control. It is much appreciated. That $60.00 extra every month will help with the next CPUA rate increase.

Submitted by Long Time State Employee (not verified) on Fri, 08/08/2014 - 11:48am.

While I appreciate that we FINALLY received a pay raise after 6 years without one, the extra $60 a month does little to offset the cost of living for all the years we went without a pay raise. $60 a month equals only $15 a WEEK. $15 a week doesn't even make a dent in what one has to spend on insurance, groceries, gas, providing for your family, a vehicle and putting a roof over your head. In my department, we risk our lives DAILY but are only worthy of $15 a week and teachers are worth 7% AND receive raises every year??? So unfair. VERY thankful for what we got, but disgruntled for the years we are forgotten about and deemed unworthy.

There is a good chance that your raise was actually bigger than a long-time teacher's. Considering that he/she had his/her longevity check taken away and you did not. Your $1000 raise and the ability to continue longevity pay likely exceeds the raise that a teacher with the same amount of experience on the job will get. Plus, you get an extra five days of paid vacation that teachers do not.

Like another poster stated, you should not be so eager to complain about another public servant's raise. You should be ready to fight for a sustainable increase in pay for all state employees.

"While I appreciate that we FINALLY received a pay raise after 6 years without one, the extra $60 a month does little to offset the cost of living for all the years we went without a pay raise. $60 a month equals only $15 a WEEK. $15 a week doesn't even make a dent in what one has to spend on insurance, groceries, gas, providing for your family, a vehicle and putting a roof over your head."

Were you this vocal about the issue when Easley and Perdue were in office? I certainly don't remember any Moral Monday marches when they were in office. Although answered by another poster, teachers did not receive raises every year.

Be thankful for the raise you received. You didn't get any when a Dem was governor.

I totally agree that all state employees deserve more money. But please don't try to pit one group of public servants against another. Especially using incorrect information.

Teachers have had their pay frozen since 2008. We do not get raises every year. Nor did we get a 7% raise this year. That number was thrown out by the General Assembly in the hopes that people like you would believe it and vote for the education-friendly politicians. The AVERAGE 7% raise actually bumps up the lower end of the pay scale, the brand-new teachers coming out of college (yes, a four-year degree is required for our enormous salaries) so that NC doesn't look as bad compared to other states. Meanwhile, the most experienced teachers get less than 1% increase in pay. Since teachers no longer receive longevity pay like you do, some teachers will actually make less with this new scale. Thankfully they will receive an add-on to bring them up a tad.

Also, please keep in mind that there is no upward mobility for teachers. Teachers cannot get promotions and raises outside of what is written in the schedule. We do not have a salary range, just a single set number. If we want to make more money we have to switch careers. Either get out of education outright or go into administration. Administration is not teaching - the jobs are radically different and have as much in common as a nurse and a hospital administrator.

"Meanwhile, Senate leaders say they're not coming back in August at all/"

And the November session seems to be concerned with Medicaid and nothing else:

""With Gov. McCrory’s decision to sign the budget, the Senate has concluded its business until the previously agreed to session on Medicaid reform in November," said Shelly Carver, spokeswoman for Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger."

This makes me wonder if Iler and other "there' still a chance" group are pandering and posturing to make it look like they're trying, when in fact it appears to be over?
Vog

the same when both houses adjourn.
Until then there remains the hope that budget tweaks can happen.

I agree that the Senate has no reason to reconvene, therefore they should adjourn, however the house adjournment resolution is not clear cut apparently.
The senate needs to explicitly tell the lower chamber that the business is finished in Raleigh.